RIVAL NOTIONS USC, UCLA TAKE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO SHOWDOWN.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

USC wears red. UCLA wears blue. But the jersey colors probably should have been switched this week, considering the moods leading to today's 72nd meeting between the schools.

While the Trojans kept everything status quo and calm, the Bruins raised their intensity noticeably higher.

At USC, coach Pete Carroll used phrases such as ``business as usual'' and spoke about practices being as intense as every other week, one of the keys to the seventh-ranked Trojans' success. There was little reason to believe this game was any different than USC's previous 10, as Carroll stressed every week is a ``playoff'' situation.

``We did what we wanted to this week by staying within our system,'' Carroll said.

At UCLA, when offensive lineman Eyoseph Efseaff jumped offsides in practice, teammate Mike Saffer started cursing him out, yelling he wasn't going to lose to USC again because of stupid mistakes.

At UCLA's pregame rally, cornerback Ricky Manning made disparaging remarks about USC. At USC's pregame rally, cornerback Darrell Rideaux didn't mention UCLA.

At USC, Carroll had an equipment manager throw a dummy off a building, pretending to catch a spy and give the Trojans a laugh before practice.

At UCLA, coach Bob Toledo threw former USC running back Aaron Emanuel out of practice when he came to watch his cousin, Bruins safety Ben Emanuel.

No one really knows the perfect approach to a game of this magnitude, but divergent paths clearly have been taken leading to today's 12:30 p.m. game at the Rose Bowl.

Which one works will be a question answered only on the field, but the mental approach is one of the bigger distinctions between the 25th-ranked Bruins (7-3, 4-2) and Trojans (8-2, 6-1). It's the first time both teams are ranked for the matchup since 1993.

There is one piece of common ground, however, aside from the fact both teams are jockeying for bowl berths that will be directly affected by today's game. Each also made sure to erase memories of last year's game, a 27-0 USC victory nobody could have predicted.

``We're trying to forget about the past,'' UCLA linebacker Marcus Reese said. ``We're all trying to be like a defensive back - have a short memory. When you have a short memory, you play hard every play.''

Said USC quarterback Carson Palmer: ``That's the past.''

Certainly, the stakes are higher than last year: UCLA remains in the hunt for a Rose Bowl berth with a victory, as does USC, which also is lobbying the Sugar Bowl for an at-large berth.

But those are not things that will matter on the field. Instead, bragging rights will be paramount as the Trojans go for their fourth consecutive victory.

``It's always difficult,'' Toledo said. ``I can only imagine what it was like to lose eight in a row. It will turn again. Hopefully, it will be this year.''

Palmer, who is 2-1 in games he played against UCLA, wants to keep the streak so his closest friends, such as safety Troy Polamalu, can finish 4-0 against the Bruins.

``It's my last shot at them and last chance to play in the Rose Bowl, and there's guys who can go out 4-0. That's a legacy.''

Ironically, the streak could be determined by two players in their first crosstown rivalry: USC tailback Justin Fargas and UCLA tailback Tyler Ebell.

Fargas, a senior, has rushed for more than 100 yards in two of the past three games since replacing starter Sultan McCullough. Like Carroll, Fargas had a nonsense approach to the contest.

``There's no nerves,'' Fargas said. ``I'm confident in my preparation.''

Ebell, a freshman, has rushed for more than 100 yards in six consecutive games. He'll face a defense that hasn't allowed a tailback to gain 100 yards this season.

``A big emphasis is on establishing the line of scrimmage,'' UCLA offensive lineman Bryce Bohlander said. ``We're much more confident (than last year). It's a different feeling.''

A concern for USC is that smaller backs, such as Kansas State's Darren Sproles, have given them more problems than bigger runners such as Colorado's Chris Brown.

``When there's a bigger running back, there's a bigger surface to hit,'' USC defensive tackle Bernard Riley said. ``A small bull's-eye can be tough. (Ebell) can hide behind the line as long as he wants. We need to hit him behind the line.''

The running game usually has determined the winner in recent years, but that won't stop attention from focusing on the quarterbacks.

USC's Carson Palmer became a Heisman Trophy candidate the past three weeks with 11 touchdowns and one interception against Oregon, Stanford and Arizona State. UCLA's Drew Olson and Matt Moore are freshmen, filling in for the injured Cory Paus.

``I'm not sure we've played an offense that executes this well in a long time,'' UCLA defensive coordinator Phil Snow said. ``They're going up and down the field with no effort. It's fun to watch. (Oregon quarterback Joey) Harrington last year was maybe the last group that executed this well.''

With freshmen quarterbacks, UCLA might rely more on trick plays and find ways to get the ball to wide receiver Craig Bragg.

``They would probably be more inclined to do something with those guys (at quarterback),'' Carroll said.

How much Moore is used also could be interesting, since he performed better in practice than expected starter Olson.

``We're going to start Drew Olson, then we're probably going to give Matt Moore a chance and go from there,'' Toledo said. ``There's a good chance that they'll both play (today).''

Carroll might not be too excited outwardly, but it's clear he understands the significance of the rivalry.

``It's the best one of them all as far as I'm concerned,'' Carroll said. ``Everywhere you turn, there is another element of why this is an important game. I'm sure talking around the water cooler was fun for our fans. It emphasizes how significant the game is and how important it is to get a win.''

Staff Writer Billy Witz contributed to this report.

USC vs. UCLA

Today, 12:30 p.m., Ch. 7

NO. 7 USC (8-2, 6-1) vs. NO. 24 UCLA (7-3, 4-2)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m., Rose Bowl

TV/Radio: Ch. 7; 1150-AM, 1540-AM

Series: USC leads 37-27-7 and has won the past three, including a 27-0 victory last season.

Injury update: USC - CB Kevin Arbet (foot), OT Joe McGuire (shoulder), TB Darryl Poston (back), TE Scott Huber (hip), LB Aaron Graham (hip), LB Chris Prosser (concussion), CB Ronald Nunn (knee), WR Jason Mitchell (back) and DE Daniel Urquhart (arm) are out. UCLA - WR Ryan Smith (ankle) is out. DT Rodney Leisle (broken foot) is doubtful. WR Jon Dubravac (concussion) is questionable.

Players to watch: UCLA freshmen quarterbacks Drew Olson and Matt Moore. They haven't thrown an interception all season, and they'll have to avoid the critical mistake again. UCLA defensive end Dave Ball, who has 10 1/2 sacks this season, will go against USC tackle Jacob Rogers, who hasn't allowed any this year. USC tailback Justin Fargas. The team that runs the ball best usually wins, so Fargas will be a critical factor for the Trojans. USC wide receiver Mike Williams. The offense looked ordinary when he was hurt last week, but his bruised thigh muscle is not supposed to be a factor today. USC defensive tackle Bernard Riley. Last year, Shaun Cody had eight tackles against UCLA. Riley replaces the injured Cody and will be under pressure to help stop tailback Tyler Ebell. USC cornerback Darrell Rideaux. He'll be at another size disadvantage against 6-foot-2 Craig Bragg, and UCLA figures to test him repeatedly.

USC update: The Trojans have won five in a row and still hold out hope for a Bowl Championship Series bowl bid. The offense has scored at least 30 points in each of those victories, and the defense has not allowed a tailback to gain 100 yards this season. Williams has caught a touchdown in eight consecutive games.

UCLA update: The Bruins believe they can attack the Trojans between the tackles, where they miss Cody. Ebell has rushed for 100 yards in six consecutive games, and 240-pounder Manuel White is healthy and has fresh legs. It's worth noting that in its two losses - to Kansas State and Washington State - USC was hit for 389 yards rushing, nearly half its season total.

- Scott Wolf and Billy Witz

CAPTION(S):

4 boxes, drawing

Box:

(1) NO. 7 USC (8-2, 6-1) vs. NO. 25 UCLA (7-3, 4-2) (see text)

(2) USC ROSTER

(3) UCLA ROSTER

(4) 2002 LOGS TO DATE

Drawing:

(color) no caption (UCLA football player facing USC player)

Jorge Irribarren/Staff Artist